Light Bar Question

[flyhi828]

I'm considering the addition of a light bar but without a full-length rack (think Yakima Megawarrior rather than a Gobi or Baja). I'm thinking about installing it where the roof rack rails begin, just behind the sunroof.

I'm concerned about the light spread angle based on the light bar being 20"+ behind the front edge of the roof.

Does anyone have any feedback from a similar install?

 

[MTN4RNR]

I'm considering the addition of a light bar but without a full-length rack (think Yakima Megawarrior rather than a Gobi or Baja). I'm thinking about installing it where the roof rack rails begin, just behind the sunroof.

I'm concerned about the light spread angle based on the light bar being 20"+ behind the front edge of the roof.

Does anyone have any feedback from a similar install?

Unless you need the height on the roof, you're better off putting a 20" light bar behind the upper or lower grille. It makes wiring easier, puts the light where you need it, and removes any auxiliary glare from the hood/roof. Here is how mine is installed: click here

Good luck!

 

[Jono.ful]

tape a flashlight to the inside of your roof rack rail and see what the beam pattern is like. I'd be willing to bet you're not going to like how much light the roofline cuts off

 

[cutty01]

I'm considering the addition of a light bar but without a full-length rack (think Yakima Megawarrior rather than a Gobi or Baja). I'm thinking about installing it where the roof rack rails begin, just behind the sunroof.

I'm concerned about the light spread angle based on the light bar being 20"+ behind the front edge of the roof.

Does anyone have any feedback from a similar install?

I asked the same question to Ohio_Steve about his light bar setup on a Yakima rack. You can see pictures of how it would look and his response HERE. To summarize, he did not have any glare on the hood or even the hood scoop.

 

[JD914]

That's about where mine is on my 4th gen, and it actually works perfectly. The cutoff from the roof places the beam just over my hood (so no glare) and out in front of the truck a useful distance. I only have a 24" bar and have no issue with lack of light. In fact, as it's a combo bar, placing the light that far back gives a wider spread of light in front of the truck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mariner]

I'm considering the addition of a light bar but without a full-length rack (think Yakima Megawarrior rather than a Gobi or Baja). I'm thinking about installing it where the roof rack rails begin, just behind the sunroof.

I'm concerned about the light spread angle based on the light bar being 20"+ behind the front edge of the roof.

Does anyone have any feedback from a similar install?

A quality light bar will have the necessary cut off to eliminate most, if not all glare. I'm actually selling my Baja Designs 40" Arc Racer for basically 50% of what I paid for it if you're interested. It was on my Raptor a few months before i traded it in. It's the driving/combo style, so has a 42 degree angle on the outside and a 6 degree spot in the center. I have plenty of pictures if you're interested. A 40 arc would fit up there nicely I believe.

If not, then definitely keep that stuff in mind. You'll want a light bar with a spot type output to reduce glare off the roof.

 

[flyhi828]

Unless you need the height on the roof, you're better off putting a 20" light bar behind the upper or lower grille. It makes wiring easier, puts the light where you need it, and removes any auxiliary glare from the hood/roof. Here is how mine is installed: click here

Good luck!

I've considered a light bar install behind the grille but I'm still considering a swap from the Limited bumpers to the TRD Pro. You make a great point about the wiring. Thanks for the info.

 

[flyhi828]

I asked the same question to Ohio_Steve about his light bar setup on a Yakima rack. You can see pictures of how it would look and his response HERE. To summarize, he did not have any glare on the hood or even the hood scoop.

Thanks for the link. I really like the idea of having the light bar hidden behind the fairing. I imagine it would be more aero and hidden from most to minimize theft. Thanks for the info and link.

 

[flyhi828]

That's about where mine is on my 4th gen, and it actually works perfectly. The cutoff from the roof places the beam just over my hood (so no glare) and out in front of the truck a useful distance. I only have a 24" bar and have no issue with lack of light. In fact, as it's a combo bar, placing the light that far back gives a wider spread of light in front of the truck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good point about the light bar's position as it relates to the beam pattern. I'm trying to find a good option for navigating trails in the early AM before fishing and mountain biking so a wide spread is a better fit for my needs. Thanks for the info.

 

[flyhi828]

A quality light bar will have the necessary cut off to eliminate most, if not all glare. I'm actually selling my Baja Designs 40" Arc Racer for basically 50% of what I paid for it if you're interested. It was on my Raptor a few months before i traded it in. It's the driving/combo style, so has a 42 degree angle on the outside and a 6 degree spot in the center. I have plenty of pictures if you're interested. A 40 arc would fit up there nicely I believe.

If not, then definitely keep that stuff in mind. You'll want a light bar with a spot type output to reduce glare off the roof.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to do more research into the different light bar beam options. For my needs, a flood style pattern is going to be more useful than a spot pattern. I'll keep the light bar you have for sale in mind.

 

[Mariner]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to do more research into the different light bar beam options. For my needs, a flood style pattern is going to be more useful than a spot pattern. I'll keep the light bar you have for sale in mind.

This is the output of mine. Flood is a very general term. Most good light bars are combos that utilize different outputs to get maximum coverage. But if you're going the Amazon route, a "flood" style bar is going to just splash light out in front of you. But if all you want is semi good close range, then that will be good enough.

If you want more specific info, I can get you in contact with the guy I bought all my lighting for my Raptor from. He's a vendor over there and owns an offroad lighting company and can tell you anything you want to know about mounting a bar up top.

 

[flyhi828]

This is the output of mine. Flood is a very general term. Most good light bars are combos that utilize different outputs to get maximum coverage. But if you're going the Amazon route, a "flood" style bar is going to just splash light out in front of you. But if all you want is semi good close range, then that will be good enough.

If you want more specific info, I can get you in contact with the guy I bought all my lighting for my Raptor from. He's a vendor over there and owns an offroad lighting company and can tell you anything you want to know about mounting a bar up top.

Thanks for posting the photo. I'm surprised at how much throw is achieved at that mounting position. Thanks again!